CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

For 1. In the raising of Lazarus though he could have done it by an immediate Word, yet he wept, and was sorely troubled; yea, he groaned twice, which were not simply groans of his Body in a natural way, but such as were accompanied with Prayer; Therefore he addeth, I know that thou hearest me always; Though we do not read of any Prayer of Christs at that same time, yet the groans and the desires of his Heart, they were Prayer.

For 1. In the raising of Lazarus though he could have done it by an immediate Word, yet he wept, and was sorely troubled; yea, he groaned twice, which were not simply groans of his Body in a natural way, but such as were accompanied with Praier; Therefore he addeth, I know that thou hearest me alwaies; Though we do not reade of any Praier of Christs at that same time, yet the groans and the desires of his Heart, they were Praier.

2. It is Observable how thankful Christ was for having his Prayer heard; The same Person who is obliged to give thanks, is also bound to pray: Thus John 6. Christ gave Thanks about that Refreshment, though it was by Barley and some small Fish; Christ himself giveth God thanks for that poor and course Diet: Oh what Thankfulness should this teach us, and stir us up to express: And so in this History, though the good he prayed for did not immediately redound to him, but to Lazarus and his Sisters, yet Christ giveth thanks for it, so that Christ who prayeth for the good of Believers as his own good, So he giveth thanks likewise to God for Mercies and Blessings bestowed on them as though they were his own mercies: If thou canst not give God Thanks large and hearty enough for his discriminating Mercy in opening of thy Eyes, and passing by and leaving the Eyes of more prudent and honoured in the world blind and shut up: Know that Christ hath also thanked the Father for this, Luke 10.21. Christ that prayeth for all thy spiritual blessings, doth also praise the Father for them.